Teapot is approaching 8 months old now, but he still hasnt lost all the bars on his head, his cere hasnt yet turned proper blue, and he has no signs of the white ring round his eyes! and he's never had a full moult to my knowledge. he's very bright and clever, and a brilliant little talker, so im not at all worried, just curious as to whether or not he's just imature for his age he even LOOKS very babyish bless him!

little tequila was like that too, maybe budgies are like people and don't all develope at the same rate?

Tabbi is also 8 months old. And not fully developed also. But is perfectly healthy says the vet.

Chirpy, I don't think he's immature for his age. Not too many babies I know have such a colorful vocabulary... All the bars on the head don't disappear at once, they just recede gradually at each molt. At this point I would guess only the first few rows right above the cere are a solid color (maybe two)?? I believe the iris is very gradual too. Some of my babies are already beginning to show the slightest hint of the iris (you really have to look, it is more a dark grey color and very thin) and others are still solid black. I would say his cere will change (if it is going to) by the time he is a year.

Edited May 21, 200420 yr by Rainbow

thankyou everyone! im glad everything is as it should be then. i wasnt worried as such, but i wanted to be sure that i wasnt neglecting him in any way (i.e dietary needs) and slowing down his development. but im happy now. and yes, his vocabulary is certainly very colourful, (Laughing out loud)! i cant believe how well and clearly he can chatter, but with me constantly yakking down his ear its no wonder really (so my daughter says) (Laughing out loud)! :(Laughing out loud):